NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier Review
July 27, 2025 Comments Off on NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier Review
Connecting the NAD M66 was similar to the experience of connecting my usual home theater setup, just with fewer output channels and HDMI connections. The NAD M66 can be configured via the touch screen on the front panel, but I opted for configuration via the BluOS iPad app. For viewing, I connected my LG smart TV via the HDMI eARC connection and used the internal LG apps for YouTube TV, Apple TV, Apple Music, and other video streaming services. I selected Roon for the second input, a local radio station for input 3, and my turntable connected via the balanced analog inputs for input #4. Because my turntable is about ten feet away from the rest of my system, I did not use the M66’s phono inputs, instead using the balanced outputs of my Musical Fidelity M1ViNL due to the somewhat long cable run.
MOONDROP Illustriousf $899 Review
July 25, 2025 Comments Off on MOONDROP Illustriousf $899 Review
The braiding of the cable isn’t ideal, with some visible gaps, and it occasionally tangles. The cable has a minimal design with grey polished hardware, a small splitter, and a tiny cinch. You can change the adapters by unscrewing and pulling them out.
Overall, the cable feels functional, and you won’t feel the need to replace it, as it pairs well with the IEM. For a premium price tag, I expected a better build, but that’s just me nitpicking, as MOONDROP has done a decent job otherwise.
MOONDROP has built some decent cables recently, and for the Illustrious price, they could have included one of those.
World Premiere Review!Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker $23,000 Review
July 25, 2025 Comments Off on World Premiere Review!Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker $23,000 Review
I could write a dissertation on the sound of this album as played through the Sambas. However, I listened to too many albums to focus solely on this one selection. Streaming Miles Davis’ of Bitches Brew Live (2011 release via Qobuz 24-bit/192kHz), it features excerpts of recordings from Miles’ electric band playing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1969 and at The Isle Of Wight in 1970. The Newport tapes were engineered by the festival’s team of engineers but produced by George Wein. The Isle of Wight recording was made by Miles Davis’ longtime producer, Teo Macero. The reason for listing the producers was that the recording was spectacular, much better than many live sets during this era. The Genesis G7 Sambas expertly reproduced the results, providing me with a sonic picture of the event.
There aren’t any home speakers that can faithfully reproduce the sound coming from a 50-foot-wide and deep stage, with each instrument playing into a low-cost Shure SM50 microphone, but the Sambas were able to render the gestalt of the festival atmosphere. Each instrument, including Miles Davis’ horn, came in and out of focus when the distance to the mic varied. Yet the instruments were sonically scaled to perfection in the Samba’s soundstage, with its midrange reproduction being the standout in my listening room.
XENNS Mangird Top Pro $499 Review
July 24, 2025 Comments Off on XENNS Mangird Top Pro $499 Review
The low end is the Top Pro’s most impressive trait. It reaches deep, has a satisfying amount of sub-bass elevation, and slams when called for. Thanks to the dual DD setup, there’s improved layering and authority compared to Tea Pro. This is not a neutral bass; it’s tuned for weight and energy, but it doesn’t go overboard and feels tight all around.
Midbass is tastefully restrained, preventing any bleed into the lower mids. Compared to Monarch MKII, the Top Pro has a slightly warmer, rounder low end. It may not hit as fast or clean, but it feels more natural and fun in tracks with rolling bass lines. I found myself gravitating toward electronic genres, and I suggest you give Islandman a listen with these. It’s great. The bass has good texture and dynamism to keep things moving, especially with well-mastered tracks.
Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature Loudspeaker$12,000 Reviews
July 24, 2025 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature Loudspeaker$12,000 Reviews
Here’s where I stop apologizing. My time with the 805 D4 Signatures proved that sometimes rebounds do work. Despite their smaller size and reduced driver complement, the 805s delivered musical experiences that never stopped taking my breath away. Like its big brother, the 805 D4 Signature isn’t a speaker for the faint of heart. Its tonal balance isn’t even close to neutral—its rise in the upper midrange through the treble likely won’t sit well with listeners who are looking for a laid-back speaker, that’s for sure. Then again, prior to the arrival of the 805 and the 801 before it, I’d have told you that a rising upper midrange and treble just isn’t my thing.
Audeze CRBN2 Electrostatic Headphone Review
July 24, 2025 Comments Off on Audeze CRBN2 Electrostatic Headphone Review
HIFIMAN ISVARNA Planar Magnetic $2,899 Review
July 23, 2025 Comments Off on HIFIMAN ISVARNA Planar Magnetic $2,899 Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2025/7/7/hifiman-isvarna-planar-magnetic-closed-back-headphones
The HIFIMAN ISVARNA (USD 2,899) is aimed at those who want to experience a couch-shaking illusion of low bass without a couch. However, it also gives respectful diligence to the mid-high ranges, which is paramount to HIFIMAN products. If you are a low-bass lover, then I highly recommend trying the ISVARNA; you are getting the new subwoofer technology and its current high-quality sound that HIFIMAN continues to bring to the table.
Focal Hadenys Review
July 23, 2025 Comments Off on Focal Hadenys Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/focal-hadenys
The Focal populates this space with tonality and realism that isn’t unsettled at any point. The sparse opening to Jim James’ State Of The Art is delivered with his distinctive vocals beautifully defined against the no less tonally appealing piano. As the track builds towards its crescendo, the Focal adds each layer without sounding strained or congested. There is an effortlessness to what it does that can make rivals sound flawed by comparison.
The joyously ballistic Girl With No Face by Allie X is a head-nodding surge of electronic power in the hands of the Hadenys. It is fair to argue that it doesn’t have quite the same out-and-out bass extension as some rivals, but it would be a stretch to call it bass light. It’s also usefully forgiving of poor recordings.
Audiophilepure 
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